In South Kashmir tension is brewing between state government and Army as the magisterial probe ordered to inquire the firing incident in Pulwama that left 11 civilians injured, one critical, is likely to indict army. Informed sources revealed that the eyewitness statements recorded so far have accused army of firing on civilians.
Reliable sources told that the statements recorded so far by the eyewitnesses may land army in trouble, but they said it all depends how fairly the probe is concluded.
However, the Hurriyat camps and few mainstream parties questioned the probe saying all such enquiry commissions are ways to buy time.But interestingly the ruling National Conference (NC) has also hinted at army’s involvement in the incident. “In the garb of AFSPA you cannot simply go on doing what you want”, NC spokesperson said in a statement issued here.
Demanding impartial probe and harshest punishment to the involved, the party said the series of such incidents like “Machil and Pathribal fake encounters” carried out by army are still resonating and are yet to be healed. “By repeating the same under the garb of AFSPA can throw Kashmir back to boil. We will not tolerate such excesses,” he said.
The Army has taken a serious notice of the allegations and they are continuously distancing themselves from the incident. Army’s 15th corps Spokesperson Brijesh Pandey said that they smell fish in this and ruled out the army’s involvement in the incident that evoked a widespread criticism and also put the normal life at halt in Pulwama Township from last three days. He threw ball in the court of police saying they are surprised why the army is being dragged in this. “We have nothing to do with it,” he said.
Though, the matter is still under investigation as to who is involved in the incident, but Police has registered an FIR bearing number 399/2012 against the army under sections148, 149,336,307 putting both army and state government at loggerheads with one blaming the others involvement.
According to sources, after the FIR was registered at 10:00 AM on Sunday after which the army held a meeting at Awantipora and also called for press briefing, but later due to unknown reasons army called off the press briefing.
The DIG South Kashmir Vijay Kumar also Monday visited Pulwama to monitor the situation as the curbs and restrictions continue in the district and even as police has made some arrests over the days that have aggrieved the locals.
“Two youth have been arrested so far. One will be released but the other boy was caught red handed with a stone in his pocket so we will take due action against him as per the law,” the DIG Kumar told the media men present there.
